2014 I will be more vulnerable. My January 2nd Diary Post "I will not let the excitement of a pending change distract me from executing the plan to make the desired change MY reality."

I will be more vulnerable in 2014. One of the things I planned to do was share a piece of what I write to myself & my Creator with You...

 January 2nd. 

 Dear Diary, 
                 Today's message: 

I will not let the excitement of a pending change distract me from executing the plan to make the desired change MY reality. 

It will take passion, perseverance and patience but it is so worth it. I remember when the doctors told me that the 6 fractures in my leg would limit me from many of the athletic activities I love. Or when doctors told me that vocal chord damage would limit my ability to speak and that church choir wasn't an option. Or before that when as a premature baby they thought my under developed heart wouldn't let me survive the rigors of the stress my little body would undergo in hopes of being, at best, 'almost normal'. Haha, six feet & four inches, two hundred and fifteen pounds and thirty three years later to God be the glory I've made it this far. With a spectacular year gone, one in which I endured some of my greatest pain and two of my greatest losses I've learned more about myself, my creator, my resilience and my ability to make my dreams come true. I've worked with mentors and people in my industry I look up to, I've traveled to places that growing up in the neighborhood I started in weren't even seen on television. I've turned some of my worst moments into learning how to truly appreciate the best ones that are en route - and the fact that they are better than what I've experienced in the last 6 months got me beyond excited and so very, very grateful. I pray for the people I've hurt & I pray that I will be able to rectify those wrongs. I pray for those around me that are hurting, I pray that I can share something that helps them see their own greatness, to see You Creator. 
Man, Mark do not stop. Do not get comfortable. I will not let the excitement of a pending change distract me from executing the plan to make the desired change MY reality... I will not let the excitement of a pending change distract me from executing the plan to make the desired change MY reality... I will not let the excitement of a pending change distract me from executing the plan to make the desired change MY reality. 

Mark I love You. 
Creator I am grateful to You. 
Universe I thank You for the timely and abundant deliveries.


Thank You for allowing me to continue to share, continue to learn to be open.
Bless,
M.




If You Enjoyed This Piece, Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, and don't hesitate to leave a comment. Thank You.

www.MarkSparks.com
www.MarkSparksWrites.com
Twitter - @MarkSparksInc

Courage. It isn't Never Being Afraid. ©

If You Enjoyed This Piece, Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, and don't hesitate to leave a comment. Thank You.

www.MarkSparks.com
www.MarkSparksWrites.com
Twitter - @MarkSparksInc

"Have a great day. Whatever's left of it..." ©

"Have a great day. Whatever's left of it..."
This morning with about 30 minutes to spare before my next appointment I walked into a coffee shop to grab a warm beverage & get some emails done. As I walked to my seat I made eye contact with an older man, I'd guess in his 70's. I pulled a chair for him where he was about to sit as his hands were full. He thanked me and we shared a momentary glance and a smile. "Have a great day" I said to him as I walked on, "You too... Whatever's left of it."
This got me thinking - how'd he know I'd gotten up at 4:30am to cook,  run outside, meditate & pray and meet with two clients before 9:30am?
"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."

That phrase repeated itself in my mind. Then a thought dawned on me - the realization of my mortality. No this isn't a new revelation but it is something that I don't think about everyday. As cliche as it sounds, today is a gift and that is a great reason to enjoy the present by being present. We are so very blessed to be able to do all the things we do that we take for granted and it, sadly, often takes tragedy & loss before we remember this fortune we own.

"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."

There are many people who started yesterday with no thought of not seeing today. Yet there are many people who did not get to see today. Many more are the folks who have died inside - living day to day without the hope that comes from faithfully & with intelligence working a dream into reality.

As we take care of today by enjoying today, building today and sharing love & gratitude today we sow seeds that will last long after we are gone - either from someone's life or this realm. And a great way to remember to take care of today is to remember that we don't know how much time we have left. My wish to you is that You have a great day, a great week, month and life! Whatever's left of it.
Bless,
M.

If You Enjoyed This Piece, Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, and don't hesitate to leave a comment. Thanks!

www.MarkSparks.com

www.MarkSparksWrites.com

Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Let It Go. ©

Let It Go
We are not created to hold onto stress, misery, pain. Our very being rejoices in times of love, peace and joy. It's our natural state. So why do we choose to harbour so much pain? Is it because we believe we don't deserve joy in our lives? I know this was the case for me. For years I struggled with understanding my Creator's purpose for me, or rather his lesson plan. I've endured some pretty tough scenarios - no tougher I'm sure than anyone else but during those times that perspectives was, seemingly, far from my understanding. One particular set of happenings really tore me apart. Choices I made led to a demise within me of a part of me and I didn't share that with anyone so it rotted inside of me. I began to hate myself for the pain I'd caused both to others and to myself - ironic I know. I was headed for a crash and it seemed inevitable. Until I found the wisdom in three words: Let It Go.

Let it go. Three words with a huge impact. Three words which when habitually acted upon create the space for love, for freedom, for peace, for joy. Let it go. Whatever is holding You hostage from the past, let it go. Whatever fears grip Your ability to believe in a joy filled future, let it go. No matter the pain, no matter how long it has been with You, know that You no longer need it, gives thanks for it's service and then let it go. Let it go right now. In this very moment. And then again, and again. Letting go isn't a single action or a single decision but a constant one, a habitual one. That excuse? Let it go. That feeling of anger? Let it go. That belief that You aren't spectacularly made in You Creator's image. That thought that no one loves You. That You'll never be forgiven. That thing for which You've never forgiven Yourself. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Today allow Yourself to be filled with the wonder that comes from being free. Today, give thanks and practice being aware of Your feelings and being able to then simply let it go.

Today I am again filled with joy. With hope, faith, peace & purpose. I am no longer routed by regret. I no longer hold myself hostage in the pain of my past. I now know - or rather understand, acknowledge and accept my humanity, how far I am from being perfect. I am thankful for grace, for forgiveness and for another opportunity to utilize all the lessons I have learned from the missteps in my past. Each day, it's with a heart of gratitude that I say thank You and I continue to till my heart, mind & soul each day by remembering & actively utilizing three words: Let It Go.
Bless

 

If You Enjoyed This Piece, Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, thanks!

www.MarkSparks.com
www.MarkSparksWrites.com 

Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Remember, a Knight in shining armor has never been to battle. ©

Love is a war. At least I think it is. So much so I've written about it on more than one occasion (click here to read the poem, thanks), yet I always hear people looking for untested fighters. And by untested I mean warriors not seasoned by battle. Anyone who has been in a relationship realizes that they - like most everything worth having - have to be fought for..

"I'm waiting for my knight in shining armor," is a popular phrase I hear women say, but a knight in shining armor is a warrior without merit where it matters most - in the battlefield.
When a knight was knighted he was sent into battle to nobly defend. He was expected to give everything he had - including his life. And not only in death but give his life in service of something greater than only himself. Even though a knight was seen as a superhero of sorts as he left to battle he would endure great pains in order to win. His shield would get dented and scuffed, his armor worn and tarnished, his very body would betray signs of his humanity in the fresh cuts to go with the scars he wore not to mention the unseen scars on his spirit. Even with all these he went on passionately, dutifully, courageously. He continued to serve. He would continue to fight until death parted him from his oath, from his duty.

In love we as men learn on the fly - even more so than women because, well there are very few forums for us to openly & honestly discuss the "how to's" of relating. Women have groups, talk shows, magazines & each other while we are most often left to learn in the battlefield how to navigate this war we call love. We make mistakes, we get hurt, our armor looses its luster but somehow - and I'd attribute it to the grace of God - some of us make it back alive. Not just with breath in our lungs but alive, with a renewed sense of purpose and love. The ones of us who survive, coming back with our spirit intact and our souls yet again ready to serve, those are the lads who a Queen should seek to enlist the service of. Those are the gentleman who's armor no longer shines in a way recognizable to the eyes.

Ladies, You can keep looking for the knight in shining armor but remember, a Knight in shining armor has never been to battle.
Is that who You want fighting for You? With You?
Bless,
M.

If You Enjoyed This Piece, Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, thanks!

www.MarkSparks.com
www.MarkSparksWrites.com

Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Lest We Forget (So just shut up & remember). ©

I grow tired each year when Remembrance Day (Veterans Day) rolls around and brings with it all those folks who are ready to be up in arms about the idea of war. I also find it interesting that on this day most of the people who choose to share their anti war stance as the reason they do not 'celebrate' Remembrance Day can do so because of the freedom allotted them from those same wars that they don't believe in. Let's be clear, we do not celebrate war anymore than we celebrate a young man or woman dying in their prime. What we do respectfully acknowledge is the fact that people OTHER THAN OURSELVES put themselves in death's way to uphold an idea of freedom - not just for themselves but for those who came after them (ie us). Have we accomplished that idea yet? No, but we are much closer because of those who did what they had to do so we could do what we want to do. Sure we have a distance yet to travel but we build on the shoulders of the giants who've come before us, who fought before us. That is what we 'celebrate' so take a moment today to be grateful that You don't have to choose death or freedom. Take a moment today and remember.
That's it.

Bless,
M.

www.MarkSparks.com

Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Mark Sparks On Facebook

Echo... ©

Sometimes we forget how powerful we truly are. Sometimes we forget that in just being ourselves, in shining our own light we can drastically impact the course of another person's journey.
A smile, a warm & sincere word doing something small to show someone You care for no other reason than You care can have an effect far greater than You will ever know. Today make a decision to make a decision to love, to nurture, to shine with no desire for reciprocity. Today whisper into the cavern of the Universe.
Bless,
Mark

If You Enjoyed This Piece, 
 Please Subscribe To www.MarkSparksWrites.com 

by entering Your email address in the top right hand corner of the page, 

Thank You.

www.MarkSparks.com

www.MarkSparksWrites.com

Twitter - @MarkSparksInc